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Let's start by defining what we mean by eco-responsible sneakers or sneakers, also called ethical or ecological . Eco-responsible sneakers are sneakers made with more ecological materials with a lower carbon impact and manufactured in decent working conditions in a country that respects strict social standards .
Eco-friendly sneaker brands are becoming more and more numerous, and you are sometimes faced with a ton of information from which it is not easy to sort through to see which brands and sneakers are truly eco-friendly. So, we give you 5 tips to spot sneakers that are truly ethical!
Check the place of manufacture of your eco-responsible sneakers
The place where your eco-friendly sneakers are made is an important criterion, both socially and ecologically speaking. Indeed, workers in Asian countries are generally not paid their fair value, and the conditions in which they work are too often indecent. They are most of the time crammed together and have an enormous workload. Ecologically speaking, it is no better. As a general rule, factories pay little attention to their impact on the planet, whether in terms of soil, air or water pollution or the use of resources. And necessarily, the distance generates more CO2 emissions during the transport of products.
But why are the majority of clothing and shoe brands manufactured in these conditions? Mainly for economic reasons but also practical ones. Indeed, low wages lead to cost reductions for companies. Asian countries, particularly China, are also the main producers of different materials: cotton, silk and synthetic fibers. In addition, there are many factories which make it possible to meet the strong demand for fast fashion with very ephemeral collections and in large quantities.
All of these elements explain the choice of many brands to prioritize the economic aspect over human and ecological aspects . Thus in the shoe sector, 88% of manufacturing takes place in Asia compared to 2.8% in Europe .
However, our choice for our Mood Walk eco-friendly sneakers is different. We have our eco-friendly sneakers made in the north of Portugal, in a human-sized workshop where employees are well treated and with decent pay. It is a fundamental point for us to respect the artisans who make our ethical sneakers by ensuring that they benefit from good working conditions.
Learn about the main material used for the upper of eco-friendly sneakers
Leather and synthetic materials are the most common among major sneaker brands. At a time when the textile industry is one of the most polluting, vegan or ecological alternatives are highly appreciated by people concerned about their carbon footprint.
Typically, brands that use materials that are not environmentally friendly will not put forward any arguments to specify this. However, the composition of the pair of sneakers is normally detailed. It is therefore up to you to seek out the information and understand it.
Our vegan and eco-friendly sneakers are mainly made with a bio-sourced material based on pesticide-free corn . Compared to animal leather, it offers a significant reduction in CO2 emissions. It is a plant-based bio-material nicknamed “corn leather”, cornskin or corn canvas. It is characterized by a very high percentage of organic materials at 78% .
Aesthetically it looks exactly like leather. The proof is in the image with our Wild Walker sneakers
or Master Mind
Learn about the material of the sole of eco-friendly sneakers
The soles of eco-friendly sneakers can be made of natural materials (leather, natural rubber, crepe) or synthetic materials such as PU, EVA or synthetic rubber. For reasons of resistance and grip, synthetic rubber, EVA and PU are often preferred. Natural rubber is more responsible and sustainable. It is obtained from a tree called the rubber tree.
However, the cultivation of natural rubber is facing many controversies. Its exploitation contributes to deforestation as for palm oil.
Faced with this observation, the recycled rubber solution is attractive. It avoids drawing on natural resources. The aim is to combine the strength of classic rubber with a rubber that already exists and that will be reused. Thus, the ecological impact of the sole is reduced.
The outsole of our eco-friendly Mood Walk sneakers, whether for the Master Mind model or theWild Walker model , is partly made of 20% recycled rubber. This approach is part of our commitment to the environment.
Favor eco-responsible sneakers produced in small quantities
To avoid overproduction and therefore a risk of waste, some brands produce in limited quantities and/ or operate on pre-orders . They organize a pre-order period and wait to know exactly how many orders have been placed. This method allows them to adjust production, avoid storing unsold items and secure themselves financially. The customer will have a slightly longer waiting time due to the production time but in return a generally reduced price. Brands that do pre-orders often also use co-creation with their customer community which allows them to better meet their needs. Customers thus follow the development of the product, become aware of the prototyping and manufacturing times and learn to wait before consuming.
This is part of the slow fashion movement: thinking before making a purchase, preferring quality over quantity, or even participating in responsible production.
In our case, the production of our eco-responsible sneakers is reasoned because the Mood Walk adventure is still in its early stages. We therefore adapt to demand by ensuring that everyone is satisfied, but we produce in small quantities . We have not chosen pre-ordering for the moment because the manufacturing times are too random for a small brand that is just starting out.
The labels
There are various eco-labels in the textile sector and they are more or less well-known. So how do we know if we can trust them? First, look for the meaning of each label you come across. Generally, if a product has a label, an explanation will be associated with it and can be found on the website. Sometimes, it is good to do a more in-depth research by ourselves because greenwashing is an unfortunately widespread practice.
The most common eco-label in terms of textiles is OEKO-TEX 100. It guarantees textiles without toxic products for the body and the environment. It is the basic label in terms of eco-responsibility.
At Mood Walk, our bio-material made from corn which forms the basis of our eco-responsible sneaker is certified by PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animal) which is guaranteed to be free of animal material. The BioVeg range to which our material belongs is also certified by the USDA which establishes the percentage of organic material in a product.
The material used for the lining of our vegan sneakers also contains corn and is OEKO-TEX certified, which is very important because it is the part directly in contact with our skin.
We have taken all these points into account to respect the environment and humans and create eco-responsible and ethical sneakers. For each of our models, you can have precise information on each product sheet for our Master Mind orWild Walker pairs made in Portugal with vegan and recycled materials sourced in Europe and benefiting from the PETA and OEKO-TEX labels.
